Olympia Adjourns: Reform Bills Pass, but Railroad Rate Relief Dies

On another page will be found a summary of the bills passed by the state legislature, which adjourned last night. Most of the bills have been passed in the last three weeks, and despite the rush in the last days, bad bills were not permitted to succeed. The list of bills passed speaks for itself. Among the more important are the bill reorganizing the land department; the dairy bill; the grain inspection bill; the live stock bill; the state school book bill; the bill permitting cities to revise their charters; the bill remitting the penalty on delinquent taxes; the bill extending the time for payment of current taxes; and the Barefoot School Boy bill. Liberal appropriations were made for the new state capitol, the new state university, the normal schools and other state institutions, and provision was made for two wagon roads to connect Eastern and Western Washington, and a state fish hatchery.

The Post-Intelligencer has expressed its deep regret that a reduction of railroad rates was not made in the interest of the wheat-growers of Eastern Washington. The refusal of the senate to pass such a bill is almost the only stain upon the record of the legislature. The bills to reduce telephone, telegraph and Pullman Car charges perished with the railroad rate bill.

Except in regard to railroad rates, the legislature has endeavored to give effect to the recommendations of the governor's message. There is much to praise in the work of the legislature.